Judicial Reporting
Associate Degree(10-196-1) OR Technical Diploma(32-106-1)
Degree Completion Time: 4 terms
2011-2012
Program Curriculum and Course Offerings
Recommended Sequence of Courses
watch program video 
View and print Functional Ability Statement of Understanding for this program
About Shared Programs
LTC offers its Judicial Reporting program in
cooperation with technical colleges across the
state. As a judicial reporting student, you'll:
- Attend live, interactive TV classes sent from LTC to your local technical college.
- Take general studies classes and labs at your local technical college.
- LTC shares its Judicial Reporting program with Fox Valley Technical College (FVTC) – Appleton, Gateway Technical College (GTC) – Kenosha, Northeast Wisconsin Technical College (NWTC) – Green Bay, Mid-State Technical College (MSTC)- Stevens Point, Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College (WITC)- New Richmond, and Moraine Park Technical College (MPTC)- Fond du Lac.
- LTC also offers an opportunity for students to complete the program at the Lakeland College—West Allis Campus.
About the Career
You've seen high-profile trials with a person
keying the testimony into a stenograph machine
or read the scrolling captions for the hearing impaired
on your TV screen. The person
recording the spoken words at speeds ranging
from 180 to 225 words a minute is a judicial
reporter. If you're an excellent listener, enjoy
keyboarding, have strong language and
communications skills, and are committed to
accuracy and confidentiality, a career in judicial
reporting may be a perfect fit for you.
Career Outlook
Trained judicial reporters are in demand throughout Wisconsin and the country. Judicial reporters don't just work in the courtroom; there are also alternative careers as captioning experts, rapid data operators, or as reporters capturing teacher lessons in classrooms for the benefit of hearing-impaired students.
Potential Annual Starting Salary
$60,000
Salary Information Source: LTC Research Department
Potential Positions
- Legislative Reporter
- Official Court Reporter in the Court System
- Freelance Reporter
- Scopist
Approximate Costs
- $111.85 per credit (resident)
- $167.80 per credit (out-of-state resident)
- Online class fee is $10 per credit
- Other fees vary by program (books, supplies, materials, tools, uniforms, health-related exams, etc)
FAQ
What are the approximate program costs?
See the LTC Program Costs
Brochure.
What exactly is judicial reporting?
Judicial reporting is the recording in shorthand what is said during a particular proceeding and then transcribing it into written form.
Is more than writing and transcribing involved in judicial reporting?
Yes. The judicial reporter also has certain responsibilities and duties in any given situation. For example, they may be responsible for swearing in witnesses, marking and maintaining the exhibits, making sure that the proper signatures appear on a transcript, etc.
How does a judicial reporter record what is being said?
Most judicial reporters use a shorthand machine called a steno machine or a steno writer. The keyboard on the machine has 24 keys and a number bar. The keys, when depressed, produce letters on a continuous-feeding paper tape. Some machines also record letters electronically on a cassette tape, disk or microchip for immediate or later translation by a computer.
How does a judicial reporter translate what is written on the paper disk or tape?
The three most common methods of translation are:
•Transcribing notes through dictation or by keying notes themselves.
•Using a computer to transcribe the notes automatically and then editing the notes before final print.
•Using a specialized software dictionary that recognizes the reporters notes and instantly transcribes them onto a computer monitor. This is known as realtime writing and translation.
Is the shorthand system hard to learn?
Yes and no. Learning the system is not difficult in the sense that you have a large amount to learn. However, it is difficult in that many hours of practice are required. Study of the basic theory takes time, determination and motivation.
Is stenographer a title for a judicial reporter?
A judicial reporter may be called a stenographer, but that term usually applies more to a secretary. Other job titles for judicial reporters are record recorders, shorthand reporters, verbatim reporters, realtime reporters and captioners. All of these titles are valid, but most people refer to them under one title-judicial reporter.
How long does it usually take to become a judicial reporter?
The Judicial Reporting program is a two-year associate degree program. Depending on your status, full-or part-time, or your individual workload, it may take longer.
What's the starting monthly salary for an
LTC Judicial Reporting program grad?
For the latest LTC graduate salary information available, click here.
Can I receive financial aid?
On average, more than 90 percent of LTC students who apply for financial aid
receive some kind of assistance. In addition, thousands of scholarship dollars
are awarded each year by the LTC Foundation, Inc. For more info, visit our
financial aid page.
How do I apply for admission?
Request and complete a student application and mail to LTC at 1290 North Avenue,
Cleveland, WI 53015 or print out the
application. Or you can apply online.
Testimonials
“Yes, yes, yes I would recommend LTC to others! LTC is giving me the hands-on experience I will need in the future, the price is excellent in comparison to a four-year school, I can fit work and school into my schedule, and the technology is great. LTC's casual environment makes high school graduates and adults of all ages feel comfortable-the teachers really care about our futures and getting us ready for our careers.”
–Dawn Mirenda
Want more information?
•Submit
your questions online
•Email info@gotoltc.edu
•Call 1.888.GO TO LTC, Ext. 1109
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